A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
